How to Take Care of Peristomal Skin Infections and Other Issues?

After getting the stoma, a patient must know the importance of healthy stoma and peristomal skin. It should be moist, dry, and intact. If the skin on the surroundings of the opening is not dry and in the original color of your abdomen, it will cause several infections and other issues. It is not something very hectic or difficult to maintain. Every person regardless of gender and age can manage a healthy hole in their abdomen. The unhealthy opening and the skin around it can discomfort you, it will not support the pouching system, it will cause bleeding from the stoma, the stoma and internal organs get blocked due to the mucus and bleeding, it will disbalance your quality of life, you will have low morale to go out, it can create pain, and delays the rehabilitation process. Moreover, it will uplift the cost of stoma appliances and healthcare.

What Can Cause Infections and Problems for the Peristomal Skin?

There are several causes of unhealthy and problematic peristomal skin. The first thing is an inappropriate pouching system. Many patients do not the right size and shape of their opening; therefore, they end up buying the wrong pouches and other devices for them. This is one of the major problems of almost all the ostomates. Thus, they think that their ostomy life is hell difficult and impossible to manage. Well, being a patient of the stoma, you must possess all the knowledge about the selection of the right pouching system according to the appearance of the stoma.

Another thing is leakage. This causes many peristomal infections and diseases. A patient who is already fighting with a digestive problem now has to fight with the skin disease. Thus, make sure, your skin is not driving towards any disorder. Wear a leakage-free pouch. Always buy a good quality skin barrier. Id adhesive is creating itching to your skin, then you can use a medicated paste. You should always know what is suitable for your internal organ, stoma, and peristomal skin. To avoid fluid to come out, use a stoma belt or cap.

Common Peristoma Skin Problems

The constant leakage can cause itching, rashes, and burning on the peristomal skin. Some other infections are regular allergies, dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, and fungal infections. Moreover, it can damage the colon, ileum, and rectum. If the peristoma skin is not in a good condition, it will not support the pouching system. You will feel difficulty in wearing the stoma bag.

Managing a Healthy Peristoma Skin

An ostomate's primary responsibility is to keep the stoma and peristomal skin. It asks for a few vigilant decisions regarding buying the right pouching system, diet, and cleaning of the surroundings.

Many people are using the right sized pouches for their stoma, but the skin around it is still spoiling. It can be because of the wrong method of removal of the skin barrier

How to Remove a Skin Barrier?

Ostomates rigidly pull off the skin barrier from the skin. It makes the surroundings damage. Thus, a person should gently peel it off during pressing down the skin. Take the support of the peristomal skin for removing the adhesive and barrier.

Cleaning of the Peristomal Skin

Cleaning of the peristomal skin is another necessary step. The cuticle around the stoma should be dry and moist. If it gets damped because of the leakage, it will tarnish the health and fighting ability of the skin. Moreover, it disbalances the pH. Dry skin does not mean you cannot moisturize it. But, it should not be too parched that damages the pH. Always use medicated wipes to dry your peristomal skin. Wear a leakage-proof stoma bag. Drink enough water to get rid of dryness and blockage.